As Harry turned the corner at the entrance to Gryffindor tower, he saw Hermione waiting for him. "What did Dumbledore want?" she asked as soon as she saw Harry.
"He apparently wanted to know what I'm planning for the second task. Weird thing is, he called me the Hogwarts Champion, for some reason."
"Without mentioning Cedric?"
"Yeah, that's the strange part. Ah well. At least he didn't use Legilimency on me, this time."
"Harry, that's illegal. He would never do that," Hermione exclaimed.
"He did last time, I think. It's not like I'm the expert on the subject. Never was able to learn Occlumency."
"Speaking of which, how is that going anyway? You haven't said a word about it."
"Basically because there's nothing to say. It's not going anywhere, as far as I can judge. I need an instructor and this time someone who will actually instruct me," Harry sighed frustrated.
"Add to the list?" Hermione asked, smiling slightly.
"Yeah, along with the million other things on there. We'll be lucky to complete the list before we're eighty."
With that he gave the Fat Lady the password and the two of them entered the common room.
-o0o0o—
The day after the visit with Sirius was a Sunday and Harry and Hermione decided to get some planning done. Their biggest problem was going to be to get out of Hogwarts undetected. As Harry wasn't supposed to know how to Apparate, and Hermione actually didn't know, that option was out.
"How do we to get to London?" Hermione pondered. "I'm sure that there are wards around the school that inform the headmaster of who's coming and going."
"No doubt," Harry said.
They were sitting in the Room of Requirement, enjoying the cosy fire it had created for them. Harry especially was partial to the sofa's. Well, the one sofa they were cuddled in. He really liked having Hermione so close to him.
"Got any ideas?" he asked his girlfriend.
"None that spring to mind. None that are realistic, at any rate."
"How about using one of the passages out of Hogwarts?" Harry suggested.
"I'm none too sure that would be wise," Hermione said. "First of all, too many people know about them. Secondly, I'm not sure that the wards don't cover them. It would be just like Dumbledore to have them covered, just to know who's going where at what time."
"Damn it."
"Language, Harry."
"What about the original plan?" Harry asked, ignoring Hermione's admonishment.
"Well, you know I'm not comfortable with that. There has to be another option."
"But you know it's the best option for him. The fact that we'll get some benefit out of it as well is just a bonus."
"I did read up on it and it does seem that you're right about it being better for him. But I still think it's slavery," Hermione said.
Hoping to stop her going off on a tangent, Harry quickly said; "Why don't we ask how Dobby feels about it?"
"Not the most reliable of sources, is he?" she said, smiling though. "Okay, we'll ask him."
Harry called the house-elf and he appeared immediately.
"Yes, master Harry Potter sir? How can Dobby helps?"
"It's just Harry, Dobby," Harry said, for the umpteenth time he felt. "But anyway, I had some questions for you about house-elves."
"Dobby will answer them, master Harry sir."
Sighing at the continued use of the 'master' title, Harry marched on. "First of all we'd like to know if a house-elf could survive when he's not bonded to anyone?" he asked.
"No theys not being able to," Dobby said. "We house-elves cans only survive if we's being bonded. Bonding with families is best, but bonding with magical places is working as well," the elf explained.
"So, you're being bonded to Hogwarts is what's keeping you alive?" Hermione asked.
"Yes, miss Grangy. Dobby however woulds likes to be bonded with a family though."
"How so?" Harry asked, a glimmer of hope in in voice.
"The family magics is givings the house-elf more magics, master Harry. If elves is bonded to a powerful family, elves is being living longer and is being more healthier."
Harry turned to Hermione and said; "See? Told ya." And, mature as he was, he stuck out his tongue. Which, of course, earned him a slap on the shoulder in admonishment.
"Another question, Dobby," Harry said quickly. "In my second year, you were able to enter Hogwarts without the headmaster knowing it. Can all house-elves do this?"
"Yes, master Harry. We's house-elves is having our own magics. Wizards doesn't know or notice."
"And can you take people with you when you move like that?"
"Yes, miss Grangy, I is being able to do that. Why is you's asking this from Dobby?" the elf asked, wide-eyed.
"The thing is, Dobby," Harry started, not sure how to ask his next question. "Do you trust me?"
"Yes, master Harry sir!" Dobby exclaimed, as if Harry had just said a very silly thing indeed. "I is keeping master Harry's secrets as if master Harry is being Dobby's master, sir."
"How would you like to be my house-elf?" Harry asked, throwing caution to the wind.
He was surprised at Dobby's reaction. Of course Harry knew that the elf was absolutely devoted to him, but he hadn't expected the small creature to break down in tears, praising the greatness of Harry.
"Dobby, please relax," he said quickly. "I take it that you like the idea?"
"Dobby would be honoured to being your elf, master Harry."
"Okay," Harry said, doubtfully. "How do we go about this? You're bonded to Hogwarts, so how do we break that bond?"
"Dobby is being able to do that himself. Hoggywarts isn't being a family, so the bond is being easily broken."
"Good," Harry said. "Now, before we do this, we have to establish some ground rules. First off, there will be no punishing yourself, okay?"
Dobby nodded.
"Secondly, you won't be my slave. You will be both bonded and employed. The same arrangement you currently have with the headmaster."
Although Dobby didn't look too pleased by this, he did nod his agreement.
"Lastly, I consider Hermione and Sirius Black as part of my family. You should obey them as you would me, okay?"
"But Black's an evil wizard, master Harry!" Dobby exclaimed fearfully.
"No he isn't, he's innocent. We'll prove it someday soon. Trust me on this."
Slowly Dobby nodded his agreement.
"Lastly, I don't want you bonded to me personally," Harry said. At the crestfallen look on Dobby's face, he quickly added; "I want you bonded to my family. As I understand it, there are some differences?"
"Yes, master Harry," Dobby said, looking a lot happier. "Bonding with a family will makes Dobby stronger than bondings with wizards."
"Great, now how do we do this?"
Dobby explained the bonding ritual to Harry and they performed it there and then. The effect was immediate. Dobby looked slightly taller and years younger.
"Wow," Harry and Hermione said at the same time. Both in awe of the change in the little elf.
"You look so much better now," Hermione said. "Is this because you bonded with Harry?"
"Yes, miss Grangy. The Potters is being a powerful and old family. This is givings Dobby powerful magics."
"Great, Dobby," Harry said. "As I understand it, you are honour bound to keep my family's secrets now, right?"
"Yes, master Harry."
"Good. Now, is there anything else I need to know about the bond?" Harry asked.
"Yes, master Harry," Dobby said. "I's knowing now all the places you's be owning. And Dobby is being able to see bad spells on master Harry sir."
"WHAT!" Hermione shouted. "What do you mean 'bad spells' Dobby?"
"Dobby is seeing that someone is putting spells on master Harry. Spells that is blocking master Harry from seeing good and learning mind magics."
"Figures," Harry sighed. "Can you remove the spells Dobby?"
"No, I is not being able to, master Harry," Dobby said and he started bawling.
"It's okay Dobby," Hermione said soothingly. "We'll handle it, now we know. Can you tell us who put the spells on Harry?"
"They is being old spells, miss Grangy. I is not able to see who is being spelling them," Dobby said through his tears.
"Do you know who can remove the spells?" Hermione asked.
"The goblins should being able to, miss Grangy."
"Good," said Harry. "We were planning on speaking with them anyway. Just another topic to be discussed, I guess. Speaking of which, Dobby will you be able to transport Hermione and myself to Gringotts?"
"Yes, master Harry. You's wanting to do that now?" Dobby said, clearly happy to be able to do something.
"No, not now Dobby. But soon. For now, I want you to continue with what you were doing before we bonded. That way we avoid the headmaster knowing about it."
With that order, Dobby popped away leaving Harry and Hermione in the Room of Requirement.
"That was informative," Hermione said, clearly still put out. "I wonder who it was that put those spells on you and what will happen when they're lifted."
"My bet would be Dumbledore," Harry said angrily. "He always did like being in control a tad too much."
"Surely he wouldn't, Harry?" Hermione said, shocked at Harry's accusation.
"Well, he was the one who told Snape that I had to sacrifice myself. Something mum told me was utter bullshit."
"There's that, yes," Hermione said doubtfully. "And there's no need for that kind of language Harry."
They discussed it for some time. But as they lacked crucial information, they didn't reach any conclusion.
"I'll send Sirius an owl telling what happened. Maybe he has an idea," Harry said. And with that the two moved to happier topics.
"Know what you're going to wear to the Ball yet?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah," Harry said. "Mrs Weasley bought me these green dress robes. Why?"
"I need to know your colours, Harry. We do need to look like the couple we are, don't you think?" Hermione asked, a dangerous look in her eyes.
"Of course, hadn't thought about that," Harry quickly said. "Although you would look beautiful in whatever you wear."
"Nice save Potter," Hermione said, moving in to kiss him. A kiss that lasted quite long.
-o0o0o—
The days leading to Christmas break were passing by quite quickly. Harry spent the days both studying and snogging with Hermione. He also kept up with his communication with Sirius. As he didn't trust Dumbledore to not read his mail, he refrained from contacting Gringotts.
Sirius hadn't reacted well to the news of the blocks on Harry. He had spent several letters vilifying whoever had put the spells on Harry. He also suggested to bring Lupin in on the plans, as the former professor was much better connected to current events than Sirius himself was. Harry and Hermione agreed, after discussing it amongst themselves and asked Sirius to have Lupin meet them on the twenty third.
The behaviour of Dobby appeared to amuse the Sirius to no end. Especially the way he appeared to worship the ground Harry walked on. Every letter had at least several mentions of 'the great wizard Harry Potter', which annoyed Harry to no end. Undoubtedly Sirius' goal.
As both Harry and Hermione were uncertain on how elf Apparition actually worked, they decided on a trial-run. The weekend before they were to meet up with Sirius and Lupin, they asked Dobby to take them to Muggle London. This to avoid being seen by wizards and giving away their mode of transport. The test went off without any problems and gave Harry an idea.
Finally, the twenty third of December arrived and the couple had Dobby take them to the Leaky Cauldron. To avoid being recognised, Harry had Hermione put a glamour on his scar and he had donned a baseball cap for good measure.
"Hello you two," Sirius said, when Harry and Hermione walked through the door. "Let's get out of here."
The quartet quickly walked through the pub and out the back. When Sirius opened the passage to Diagon Alley, Harry noticed something.
"When did you get a wand?" he asked.
"Couple of days ago in Knockturn Alley. Figured I needed one."
"Good thinking," Hermione said. "But where did you get the money to pay for it?"
"Turns out the goblins don't really care about what the Ministry says about a man's guilt. They only care whether or not you actually are guilty. A lot of talk and a little Veritaserum cleared everything right up."
"Excellent," Harry said. "Wish those idiots at the Ministry would work like that. Would save us all a lot of trouble."
"How have you been, professor?" Hermione asked Lupin.
"Fine, Hermione. Thanks," he said. "Though I'm no longer your professor, so maybe you should address me as Remus?"
"You sure?" she asked.
"Yes, Hermione. You too Harry. How have you two been?"
"Well, busy for the most part," Harry said. "We'll tell you all about it after we're done at Gringotts. Did Sirius tell you everything?"
"He did tell me a thing or two," Lupin said thoughtfully as they arrived at the bank.
Harry purposefully walked to a teller and waited patiently for his attention.
"Yes?" the goblin said.
"I'd like to speak to whomever is handling the Potter accounts, please."
"And you are?"
"Harry Potter, sir."
The goblin's eyes widened at being addressed to politely. "Do you have the Potter vault key?" he asked.
"No, I don't," Harry said, wondering who actually had his key.
"Can you prove that claim some other way?" the goblin asked.
"I don't know how, aside from showing my scar," Harry replied.
"And as that could be a glamour, it won't suffice. We could use blood identification," the goblin explained.
"How does that work?"
The teller opened a drawer and took out parchment and a knife.
"You just prick your finger and let a drop fall on this parchment."
Harry did as he was asked and was astonished that his blood didn't just spell his name on the piece of parchment. It also gave a number of codes. When the goblin saw this, he hissed.
"What's wrong, sir?" Harry asked.
"You're not going to see your account manager, mister Potter. Instead there is a standing order to bring you direct to the Director."
Both Sirius and Lupin let out a whistle at this, clearly impressed. Harry was just confused at hearing this.
"Why is that?" he said after several moments.
"It doesn't say. I'll get you an escort. Will these people be joining you?" the goblin asked.
"Yes, I trust them," was Harry's simple answer.
They were escorted to an antechamber deep within the bank. As they were waiting, Harry looked at the grand double door. It was inscribed with several scenes of battle. Mostly there were goblins fighting other goblins, but Harry did think he recognised some scenes from his History of Magic classes. Or, more specifically, Hermione's notes on the subject. After waiting for a few moments, they were shown inside.
Harry's jaw hit the floor. The room was splendid and grand. The walls were decorated with more scenes of battle. Not just the crude sketches from such people as Michelangelo or Da Vinci. These murals looked positively alive. The use of colour, the details, were all of such beauty it almost made Harry weep. All in all, it was just magical. The only reason he didn't spend the next year or so admiring the walls, was the subtle cough he heard.
"They are quite exquisite," the goblin behind a table said, grinning.
Seeing a goblin grin made Harry vow silently to never again try and brake into the place. Scary, it was.
"Sorry sir, I was so taken by it," he quickly apologised.
"No harm done, mister Potter. I guess introductions are in order. My name is Ragnok and I'm the Director of Gringotts. Which, in essence, means that I'm the leader of the Goblin Nation. Well, the UK branch of it, in any event."
"L-l-leader?" Harry stammered.
"Yes, mister Potter. I take it that you trust these three individuals with your private financial information?" Ragnok asked.
"Yes sir, I do. They are my girlfriend Hermione Granger, my godfather Sirius Black and my former teacher Remus Lupin," Harry said, pointing to each in turn. "They have been there for me through stuff that's more private and more dangerous than mere money."
"As I'm not informed on what you mean by that; I cannot say anything about the private part of your statement. However, money can be used in various ways that many consider quite dangerous."
Harry was quite taken aback by that statement. But after considering it, he could see Ragnok's point.
"But I doubt that you're here to discuss financial philosophy?" Ragnok asked.
"No, indeed," Harry said. "There are a number of topics we would like to discuss. First of all I need to know some things."
"I will answer your questions, knowledge and oaths permitting of course."
"Of course," Harry nodded. "First off I'd like to know what you know about Horcruxes?"
The atmosphere changed immediately. Lupin turned his head to Harry so fast that Harry could hear his neck crack. Ragnok growled a low growl and looked at Harry menacingly.
"And, pray tell, what would you know about these evil things?" the Director growled.
Harry, sensing the threat in the words, quickly responded in a placating manner. "Nothing, except that they involve murder and that Voldemort has created several of these things. One, we believe, resides within one of your vaults."
"Which one? And why haven't you told us before now?" Ragnok said, the threatening tone still in his voice.
"I only recently found this out and I think you agree that this is not a topic to be discussed via owl post."
"Quite," he said. "That still doesn't say which vault the item resides in."
"The Lestrange vault. Specifically, Bellatrix Lestrange's," Harry quickly said.
"If this is true," Ragnok began, "we will seize the vault, all its contents and destroy the vile object."
"Could you not?" Harry asked. Seeing the look on the Director's face, he quickly amended; "By all means, destroy the Horcrux, but not the object. It's Hufflepuff's cup. I'm sure you agree that this item is of some importance, historically speaking."
Ragnok nodded at this and called for someone. Quickly a goblin entered and received instructions in the goblin language.
"The vault will be audited now. We will have the results in a bit. If what you said is true, you have our thanks for informing us. Now, you had more questions?"
"Yes," Harry said, glad that Ragnok was taking this so well. "It's about my holdings, or specifically my parents' will. Is there one?"
The Director surprised Harry by growling deeply once again.
"You mean to tell me that you haven't had the will read?" seeing Harry shake his head, he continued. "This is something that should've happened on your eleventh birthday, mister Potter. We'll look into this now."
Another goblin was called, given instructions and disappeared.
"Anything else, mister Potter?"
"Yes, sorry to take up so much of your time. I'm sure you're quite busy," Harry began, but was interrupted.
"Nonsense. By the sound of it, my time is well spent listening to you," Ragnok said.
"Thanks sir. My next question is about some spells that have been placed on me. Is there a way that you can check who put them on me and remove the spells?" Harry asked, hoping that Ragnok was indeed in a good enough mood.
"Hmm," the goblin said tentatively. "We do have healers, available for a fee."
"Of course," Harry said. "However much they require, if I can afford it."
"Oh, you can mister Potter. There's no doubt about that. If the audit of the Lestrange vault proves your words, the finder's fee alone will be more than adequate to cover these expenses. The problem is that we don't usually extend the services of a goblin healer to wizards. But as we've always had a rather profitable relationship with your family, and if the audit provides the results you said it would, I might be able to provide you with our healer's services. At a reduced fee, at that."
"Thank you, sir," Harry said. "I would like to ask the Goblin Nation's help in another matter. The Horcrux in the Lestrange vault isn't the only one left. Voldemort had made four others. One of those has already been destroyed, and I know the location of the other three. Would the Goblin Nation be willing to help Sirius Black, Hermione Granger and myself in destroying the Horcruxes?"
"And me," Lupin cut in. "I'm in as well, Harry."
"Cheers Remus, I didn't want to speak for you without asking."
"Thank you for that consideration Harry. But I'm in. I owe it to James, Sirius and yourself," Lupin said.
"Remus, you don't owe me anything. But I'll gladly accept your help. I'll need all the help I can get," Harry said and he turned to Ragnok. "Well sir? Do you think that the Goblin Nation is willing to help?"
"Destroying these abominations to nature? Of course we will help. We will, however, not engage any wizard in combat. It is against the current treaties and we do not wish to provoke a war."
Recognising the help for what it was and the spirit it was given in, Harry quickly accepted. He told Ragnok, Sirius and Lupin about the existence of the ring, locket and diadem. He also gave the locations of the ring and locket.
"What about the diadem, Harry?" Sirius asked.
"That's in Hogwarts. You can't help with that. However, I will get it to Gringotts as soon as possible. Mister Ragnok, would a house-elf be an acceptable messenger?"
"Yes mister Potter, that would be most acceptable. Elf magic should be able to withstand the effects of the vile thing long enough."
Suddenly struck by an idea, Hermione spoke up for the first time during the meeting.
"Will Voldemort feel one of his Horcruxes being destroyed? It does contain a bit of his soul, after all."
"Good thinking Hermione," Lupin said. "I don't know to be honest. Chances are that he will feel it."
"How many of these things can he create, anyway?" Hermione asked.
"Well, as far as I understand it, the creation of a Horcrux splits the soul in two even parts. As Voldemort has created five of these things, he only has," Lupin calculated for a moment, "little over three percent of his soul left. I seriously doubt he's able to create any more without destroying the soul-piece in his body completely."
"Thank Merlin for that," Sirius exclaimed.
"So it basically doesn't matter whether or not he feels their destruction," Hermione concluded.
"That depends," Ragnok interjected.
"On?" Harry asked.
"Whether or not you want him to know that we're destroying these things. A threatened animal usually becomes very unpredictable."
"Good point," Sirius said. "How about this, we collect all Horcruxes and destroy them all at once at a given time?"
"Good idea, but where do we store them?" Hermione asked. "It'll have to be a secure place, where no one will be able to access those things without us knowing."
"Leave that to us miss Granger," Ragnok said.
While he said that, the goblin, who was instructed to retrieve the Potter's will, entered. He handed a folder over to Ragnok, who began to read. Harry saw the Director's eye grow wider with every sentence.
"Well, this is interesting," the goblin said.
-o0o0o—
A/N: First of all, sorry for the long wait. Had some bad news concerning me mum. The situation has stabilised somewhat, so I'll be writing more.
Sorry for leaving it on a cliff-hanger, but what can I say… I'm evil… Hope you enjoyed it. Keep the reviews coming, I love reading them.
And, as per usual, the next chapter will come when it comes.